Orthodontic abutment

A method for providing an orthodontic anchor in a mouth comprising the steps of:

• installing a dental implant in a jawbone of said mouth where said orthodontic anchor is needed;
• allowing said implant to osseointegrate with said jawbone;
• providing a unitary orthodontic abutment having an integal outer surface with a roughened portion extending entirely around said outer surface;
• installing said orthodontic abutment on said implant in a manner which retains said roughened portion of said outer surface in a fixed position relative to said dental implant;
• and
• attaching an orthodontic component to said roughened portion of said orthodontic abutment with an adhesive compound.

An orthodontic abutment for attachment to a dental implant that is embedded in living jawbone having overlying gingiva, said implant having a gingival surface with a non-round fitting that is accessible through said overlying gingiva, said orthodontic abutment being capable of receiving an orthodontic component, said orthodontic abutment comprising:

• a unitary titanium main body having a lower end with a fitting for non-rotationally engaging said non-round fitting on said gingival surface of said implant and a supragingival end opposing said lower end for protruding above said overlying gingiva;
• an outer surface between said lower end and said supragingival end, said outer surface including a roughened portion extending at least about 90° around a central axis of said main body, said roughened portion being adjacent to said supragingival end and at least about 3 mm from the lower end, said roughened portion having a roughness of greater than 700 μ-inch RMS, said outer surface further having a smooth gingival portion for contacting said overlying gingiva;
• and
• means for securing said unitary body to said dental implant.

An orthodontic abutment for attachment to a dental implant installed in living jawbone having overlying gingiva, said implant having a first non-round fitting, said orthodontic abutment comprising:

• a lower end;
• a second non-round fitting adjacent to said lower end for mating with said first non-round fitting of said implant;
• a supragingival end opposing said lower end for protruding beyond said overlying gingiva;
• an outer surface between said lower end and said supragingival end, said outer surface including a roughened portion extending at least about 90° around a central axis of said orthodontic abutment, said roughened portion extending from substantially said supragingival end to an intermediate position on said outer surface no closer than about 3 mm from said lower end, said roughened surface being in a fixed relationship with respect to said second non-round fitting;
• and
• means for securing said unitary body to said dental implant.